Chemistry and Dynamics of the Venus and Mars Atmospheres from Sub-mm Observations

AST 0607493对金星和火星的毫米和亚毫米光谱线观测支持了对这些独特的行星大气的化学和动力学的基础研究，这些行星大气限制了我们的地球标准。具体而言，这种观测产生的痕迹成分检测，多普勒风的测定，以及大气变化的长期特征，仍然超出行星航天器飞行任务的范围。对火星和金星的地面观测计划数量有限，但由于美国航天局的任务重点是这些行星的表面环境，因此获得的大气结果不成比例。例如，美国宇航局最后一次有大量大气成分的金星使命是1978年发射的先锋金星轨道器。同样，美国航天局第一次携带专用大气探测器的火星使命计划于2006年进入轨道。因此，全球温度、冰和尘埃气溶胶负载以及光化学的巨大轨道变化以及这些耦合变化在火星当前和（可能）过去气候中所起的作用的关键发现是通过地球上的毫米光谱和成像而不是火星航天器观测揭示的。金星大气层通过其巨大的低层大气发现近红外窗口的关键都来自于长期中断的专门金星NASA使命活动的地面观测。有了这个奖项，克兰西博士将进行光谱分析的敏感测量的积累机构，独特的适合于调查的动态和化学时间可变的中间大气层（中间层）以上的硫酸云层金星，和辐射动力学状态的探索不足的中间层的火星大气。在赠款期内，将利用设在夏威夷的詹姆斯·克拉克麦克斯韦望远镜进行新的观测，并将对观测结果的分析纳入现有的大量数据集，将通过Clancy博士参加空间科学研究所的火星探索和外星地球博物馆展览，向公众和教育界传播比较行星学的更广泛的内容。空间科学研究所为活跃的空间科学研究人员与多学科教育和公共宣传从业人员之间的直接内部合作提供了独特的环境 *

AST 0607493ClancyMillimeter and sub-millimeter spectral line observations of Venus and Mars support fundamental investigations of the chemistry and dynamics for these distinctive planetary atmospheres bounding our terrestrial standard. Specifically, such observations yield trace constituent detections, Doppler wind determinations, and long-term characterizations of atmospheric variability that remain beyond the scope of planetary spacecraft missions. Active ground-based observation programs for Mars and Venus are limited in number, yet obtain disproportionate atmospheric results due to the emphasis of NASA missions on the surface environments of these planets. For example, the last NASA mission to Venus with a substantial atmospheric component was the Pioneer Venus orbiter launched in 1978. Similarly, the first NASA mission to Mars with a dedicated atmospheric sounder is scheduled to achieve orbit in 2006. As a result, the key discovery of large orbital variations in global temperatures, ice and dust aerosol loading, and photochemistry and the role these coupled variations play in the current and (possibly) past climate of Mars was revealed by earth-based millimeter spectroscopy and imaging rather than Mars spacecraft observations. The key Venus atmospheric discoveries of near-IR windows through its massive lower atmosphere all originated from earth-based observations over a long-standing hiatus in dedicated Venus NASA mission activity. With this award, Dr. Clancy will carry out spectroscopic analyses of an accumulated body of sensitive measurements uniquely appropriate to the investigation of the dynamically and chemically time variable middle atmosphere (mesosphere) above the sulfuric acid cloud layers of Venus, and to the radiative dynamical state of the poorly explored mesosphere of the Mars atmosphere. New observations will be obtained with the James Clark Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii over the course of the grant period and their analysis will be integrated into the extensive existing data set.The broader context of comparative planetology will be disseminated to the public and educational community through Dr. Clancys participation in the Mars Quest and Alien Earths museum exhibits at the Space Science Institute (SSI). SSI provides a unique environment of direct in-house collaborations between active space science researchers and multi-disciplined Education and Public Outreach (EPO) practitioners***